SURVIVAL

Fat round worm squirms helplessly

in beak sharp and specially primed

gullet quivers with delight

-another juicy, delectable bite!

Fish eagle gracefully soars;

swoops with undetected purpose, precise accuracy and speed

reflected movement halted,

cold blooded life lifted from lifegiving waters.

Clutching its prey - once more cleaving the sky -

the fish eagle’s victory squawk pierces the skies.

Doe veers, desperately swerves

Fleeing from swift, silent lioness

propelled by sensual anticipation, in full flight,

it’s strong, ready claws extended...

Bared yellowed fangs find

racing pulse, quivering target.

Dust settles – soon it will be night.

Ecstatic cubs rush in to gorge their fill.

Of malice prepense the sinister stealthy stalker’s

gleaming knifeblade flashes;

slashes unexpectantly thru skin,

supple muscle, lukewarm flesh -

a gasp, a shudder, iridescent irises dim to unseeing dull.

A last ripple of movement, ebbing in unison with the flow of blood …

Another life is ended…for what?

For a wallet, a watch, a handful of coins…

To sate

Without guilt, flinching, remorse or recoil

the unsatiable lust called greed

or primitive, primal animal creed:
the fittest shall survive!